Philippians 3:12 “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
Declaring Philippians 3:12 over the church on the first Sunday of 2025, Ps Bob boldly announced this year’s theme — to ADVANCE AND TAKE HOLD of all that God has for us individually and corporately.
It’s more than God’s promises. They include His plans, purposes and promises.
After 3 years of going deeper and reaching higher, EL emerged renewed in prayer and our relationship with God. Things could not stop there!
Unrelenting, our former Senior Pastor, Ps Bob Lum, sought the Lord and came across Philippians 3:12, giving rise to this year’s theme.
Advancing to take hold consists of 3 parts:
- Acknowledging that we are not there yet;
- Forgetting the past; and
- Advancing boldly
Looking back at 2025, our church has advanced and taken hold of God’s plans, purposes and promises in many ways! This is all God’s doing; nothing about our doing!
A Growing Church Family
Many young families and seniors experienced the warm embrace and connection in the English congregation, making EL their home church.
Kickstarting the Newcomers fellowship, the Chinese congregation extended the warm love of Christ to visitors.
Many new and lonely visitors to the Filipino congregation experienced genuine love and care by members, assimilating comfortably into the community.
Our senior members in the Cantonese congregation turned up at weekly services faithfully despite their health and mobility issues; many stayed back for prayer meetings.
A Spiritually Vibrant Church Family
Leaders in the English and Filipino congregations grew in spiritual maturity, boldness and dedication. Amongst the Filipino members, a deeper hunger for the Word and to grow in faith took root. Once quiet or hesitant, members are more alive, prayerful, united and confident in God’s love.
In the English congregation, prayer meetings are filling up, especially with more youths joining. During church camp, members joyfully guided our first-time campers from the Gospel Mission for the Blind around the campsite, hosted them during meals and led them to the altar call for prayer. Love wasn’t just preached, it was beautifully lived out!
An Outward-Looking Church Family
During the Alpha programme this year, many participants experienced life-changing moments and insightful conversations, leading them deeper in their understanding of the faith and closer to Jesus.
At a house visitation to an elderly lady with terminal sickness, Ps Winnie, along with another Cantonese congregation leader, led the lady to receive Christ and get baptised on the same day! Just nice – it happened before her condition deteriorated rapidly, where she could no longer receive visitors.
Besides reaching out to pre-believers, church members saw beyond their needs and initiated creative activities for the seniors in the Chinese and Cantonese congregations. The seniors enjoyed the fellowship; one of them broke out into songs while arranging flowers!
Advancing God’s Kingdom Through Missions
Besides advancing God’s kingdom through our congregational outreaches, EL Missions saw a remarkable expansion in both local and overseas missions!
Locally, various Life Groups organised fun and engaging activities for New Hope Community residents and 200 guest workers under the Alliance of Guest Workers Outreach at Tuas Recreation Center.
Each resident received a beautiful handicraft and the message that they are loved and uniquely created by the Creator. Several migrant brothers testified of physical healing as our youths stepped up boldly to pray for them.
Overseas, more ELites joined mission trips with Cebu and Zambales teams being our largest yet! The Hi-kids ministry and the Cantonese congregation leaders embarked on their first mission trips as a ministry to EL@TanjungPinang and ELEC* in Cambodia respectively.
EL Missions supported EL Shaddai Church in Perawang in hosting their first Women’s Conference, while EL Soccer Team organised a soccer tournament at EL@Cambodia for the first time, ministering to the youths and seeing 3 new salvations!
Advancement in Church Leadership
The greatest milestone for our church has got to be the successful transition of EL’s top leadership! At our 58th Anniversary celebration service, the auditorium roared with loud applause and cheers by members, honouring the faithful years of service by our former Senior Pastor, Ps Bob Lum.
He was all smiles seeing his daughters and their families emerged from backstage — having flown into Singapore from different parts of the world unbeknownst to him — embracing him and joining to witness this momentous event together. The church presented a heartfelt video of tributes.
Ps Bob officially handed over the baton to the Lead-Pastors Team (LP Team). Ps Gary, Ps Daphne and Ps Lim Ping, each with their unique giftings and strengths, received their new appointments and roles with grace and sure commitment.
What a historic moment for our church – adopting a team leadership style, including a female representation, for the first time ever! The church blessed and prayed over our new leaders as the LP Team expressed confidence and hope in advancing the church towards the next chapter!
Advancing Forward in 2026
With God’s stirring in their hearts, the LP Team envisions EL as a family church, growing spiritually healthy, remaining deeply rooted in God’s Word, and living an outward-looking, Kingdom-minded faith that impacts Singapore and the nations.
Over recent years, God has spoken promises and similar prophecies through various pastors. Praise God! We have witnessed greater signs of our church moving towards His direction this year. And we are not done yet!
Unity and consistency remain key to experience God’s love and power, being the salt and light in our generation. We must continue to advance God’s kingdom in and through our church for His glory! As our church steps into 2026, the Lord is calling us into a season of purpose and destiny!
With great passion and joy, our Lead Pastor, Ps Gary, proclaims, “Let’s move forward with anticipation, excitement and faith, knowing that God is shaping each one of us — and His church, our family — for a glorious destiny!”
*ELEC refers to Eternal Life Enrichment Centre, a mission work planted by EL in Ang Roka, Cambodia.
Take a moment and look back at 2025. In what ways have you witnessed the church advancing to take hold of God’s plans, purposes and promises? How has he led you to advance and take hold of all He has for you this year?
- Give thanks to God for all that He has led the church and led you to advance and take hold of!
- Continue to seek and trust God to reveal His plans, with patience.
- Do not limit yourself! Take bold steps of faith to do what God is calling you to do.
